Dry eye syndrome is a chronic, progressive disease. It occurs when someone cannot make adequate lubrication (the quantity or quality of their tears is insufficient) which results in discomfort. Our eyecare professionals can diagnose this condition and build a personalized treatment plan that can help improve your quality of life and visual well-being.
Dry eye syndrome is an increasingly common condition that affects about 30% of the population.
Think you suffer from dry eye? Take this 5-questions quiz to find out.
Dry eye syndrome can occur in patients of all ages and can be caused by a variety of factors such as the environment or increased screen time. It can also be linked to wearing contact lenses or occur after eye surgery.
At our clinic, our team will be able to help identify the factors at the root of your dry eye syndrome. We’ll also be able to determine the most suitable solutions to help you increase your visual comfort and soothe your dry eyes.
To identify which products or treatments can make a difference for you, our clinic’s team will first make sure to pinpoint a diagnosis. This will enable us to specifically target your needs.
Our eyecare professionals will take into account every factor that has an impact on your visual health. They’ll then be able to evaluate your condition and come up with a diagnosis using cutting-edge tests and equipment.
With the help of images captured by the meibography technique, your eyecare professional will be able to assess if the structure of your meibomian glands (glands that line your inner eyelids) is normal or dysfunctional. Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the main causes of dry eye syndrome. Our team will then be able to determine if your glands secrete enough oil and if this oil is enough to keep the water of your tears from drying out. They’ll then determine the best approach and treatment plan adapted to your specific condition
At-home treatments
Good visual hygiene is the key to alleviating dry eye symptoms and keeping your eyes healthy.
Dirt and debris on the edge of your eyelids can penetrate the lacrimal film and cover your eye. This will cause red eyes and irritation.
Poor eye hygiene can also lead to Demodex face mites in your hair follicles. They can exacerbate inflammation and dry eye by obstructing the sebaceous glands at the base of your lashes.
Here’s what your optometrist might recommend to keep your eyelids and lashes clean:
It’s also important to keep your eyes lubricated. There are myriad products available to soothe dry eyes such as drops (artificial tears), gels, and ointments.
Once your optometrist has evaluated your situation, they’ll be able to point you towards the products that can alleviate your dry eyes. They’ll also implement a follow up plan or recommend more advanced treatments, if necessary.
In-clinic treatments
In addition to the products that might be prescribed by your optometrist, our team has access to cutting-edge technology and treatments.
ZEST
ZEST (Zocular Eyelid System Treatment) exfoliates eyelids and lashes. This gentle, simple, and painless procedure helps treat eyelid inflammation caused by blepharitis or Demodex face mites and provides immediate relief for irritation and dry eye symptoms.
After the deep cleanse, the ZEST gel is rinsed off with a saline solution. This treatment can be repeated as needed.
Radiofrequency
Radiofrequency is an innovative treatment that unclogs meibomian glands in order to restore the oily layer of tears (eye lubrication) and prevent them from quickly evaporating.
There are many benefits to this treatment:
Because this treatment is carried out by your optometrist, it is personalized in line with your specific needs. It’s also a treatment that can be done on its own or associated with an IPL treatment for more advanced care.
IPL (Intense pulsed light)
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) is a therapy that uses pulsed light on your eyelids to stimulate facial tissue. The goal is to manage inflammation caused by dry eye syndrome for cases of meibomian gland dysfunction or recurrent chalazion (accumulation of sebum which results in the swelling of the upper eyelid).
Nearly 86% of patients with dry eye syndrome suffer from meibomian gland dysfunction. As a result, IPL treatment can be used to treat most moderate to severe cases of dry eye syndrome.
The benefits of IPL treatment:
The intensity of the light, the length of the waves, and the frequency and duration of the pulse can be adjusted to the severity of the condition and to the specific needs of each patient.
Punctal plugs are another option that can counter the effects of dry eye syndrome.
These tiny devices are inserted by your eyecare professional into the eye’s tear duct. They are designed to retain moisture on the eye for as long as possible by preventing the tears from draining away too quickly.
Because the plugs slow the drainage of tears, they are generally used as a complementary solution to other types of treatments for dry eye syndrome. Punctal plugs can maximize your visual comfort if your eyecare professional determines that your eyes produce the right quality of tears.
Prescription medication
In some cases, your eyecare professional might prescribe medication to alleviate certain symptoms of your dry eye syndrome.
In order to help you soothe your dry eye symptoms, our team shares which habits to adopt and which factors to keep in mind for optimal visual comfort.
Lifestyle
Screens
At home
In your room
In a car
Makeup
For more information about dry eye syndrome or treatments available to improve your visual comfort, contact our team. We’ll be more than happy to answer your questions or schedule an appointment in our clinic to assess your needs.
819 281-4747
buckingham@opto-reseau.com
110, Georges Street, #11, Gatineau, Québec J8M 1A2
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